Does the 1987 Ford Escort need premium gas?
Fuel grade varies by trim — see the breakdown below.
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl, 4-spd manual, FWD | REGULAR | 31 | $2,000 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | REGULAR | 28 | $2,200 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, FWD | REGULAR | 25 | $2,500 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | REGULAR | 25 | $2,500 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl, 5-spd manual, FWD | DIESEL | 35 | $2,250 |
The EPA records the fuel each version was tested on. Whether premium is strictly required or just recommended is an owner's-manual detail the EPA dataset doesn't include — so we don't guess it.
5 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov · retrieved 2026-06-14.